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Jepchirchir eyes glory in New York to end season on a high

The two-time world half marathon champion however expects a tough race in November considering her competitors did not undergo the gruelling schedule in Japan.

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by EMMANUEL SABUNI

Big-read07 September 2021 - 14:13
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In Summary


•Recalling her feat in Japan, the reigning Valencia Marathon champion  admitted  it was one of her most difficult races

•Making her Olympic debut, Jepchirchir won gold after timing 2:27.20, ahead of compatriot, Brigid Kosgei (2:27.36) and the American Molly Seidel (2:27.46) in second and third respectively

•In New York, she will be facing other Kenyans led by three-time Vienna City Marathon champion Nancy Kiprop and track mistress Viola Cheptoo Lagat

Tokyo 2020 Olympics - Athletics - Women's Marathon - Flower ceremony - Sapporo Odori Park, Sapporo, Japan - August 7, 2021. Gold medallist Peres Jepchirchir of Kenya celebrates on the podium REUTERS/Feline Lim
Gold medallist Peres Jepchirchir of Kenya, silver medallist Brigid Kosgei of Kenya and bronze medallist Molly Seidel of the United States posing holding their flags

After clinching the Olympic marathon title in Tokyo, Peres Jepchirchir has set her eyes on glory at the New York City Marathon on November 7.

Jepchirchir said she is a satisfied lady after achieving her targets for the year, which included competing at the Olympics and the world's largest marathon. 

“I had prioritised the Olympic Games as well as New York City Marathon and all have come to pass. Tokyo was my first priority whereas New York was the second. My plan was to compete in New York if I had missed out on  the marathon Olympics team,”  Jepchirchir said.

Recalling her feat in Japan, the reigning Valencia Marathon champion  admitted  it was one of her most difficult races. 

“I had only competed in two marathons (Saitama), where I made her debut and Valencia) but I had never felt the pain I felt after the race in Tokyo. I think it is because of the hot weather in Japan. It was a tough race but I have taken enough rest and I am ready for another challenge,” she said.

The two-time world half marathon champion expects  New York to be no different considering that most of her competitors did not undergo the gruelling schedule like she did in Tokyo. 

“I am ready for the challenge on the course even if I may have little time to prepare unlike my competitors who had quality time.  Iam not scared at all,” she said.

Making her Olympic debut, Jepchirchir won gold after timing 2:27.20, ahead of compatriot, Brigid Kosgei (2:27.36) and the American Molly Seidel (2:27.46) in second and third respectively.

The former Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) Half Marathon champion still wants to break the women's marathon world record, currently held by Kosgei at 2:14.04. 

In New York, she will be facing other Kenyans led by three-time Vienna City Marathon champion Nancy Kiprop and track mistress Viola Cheptoo Lagat.

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